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Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Advances in Mechanical Engineering


Volume 2014, Article ID 925493, 10 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/925493

Research Article
Effect of the Die Temperature and Blank Thickness on the
Formability of a Laser-Welded Blank of a Boron Steel Sheet with
Removing Al-Si Coating Layer

M. S. Lee, J. H. Moon, and C. G. Kang


School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, Pusan 609-735, Republic of Korea

Correspondence should be addressed to C. G. Kang; cgkang@pusan.ac.kr

Received 29 January 2014; Accepted 25 March 2014; Published 4 May 2014

Academic Editor: Woo-Jin Song

Copyright © 2014 M. S. Lee et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reducing carbon emissions has been a major focus in the automobile industry to address various environmental issues. In particular,
studies on parts comprised of high strength sheets and light car bodies are ongoing. Accordingly, this study examined the use of
boron steel, which is commonly used in high strength sheets. Boron steel is a type of sheet used for hot stamping parts. Although it
has high strength, the elongation is inferior, which reduces its crash energy absorption capacity. To solve this problem, two sheets
of different thickness were welded so the thin sheet would absorb crash energy and the thick sheet would work as a support. Boron
steel, however, may show weakening at the welding spot due to the Al-Si coating layer used to prevent oxidation from occurring
during the welding process. Therefore, a certain part of the coating layer of a double-thickness boron steel sheet that is welded in
the hot stamping process is removed through laser ablation, and the formability of the hot-work was examined.

1. Introduction absorption has lower elongation. Therefore, the TWB (tailor


welded blank) of boron steel used in hot stamping is essential.
As the automobile industry affects human safety directly, the When a thick steel plate made of two plates with different
focus of this study is on the development of car bodies with thicknesses is used, the thicker one functions as a support
sufficient hardness and lightness. Lightness is as important as while the thinner one absorbs shock. A number of studies
hardness because the amount of carbon dioxide emissions is have been performed on the joining of dissimilar steels.
proportional to the weight of the vehicle. As environmental Anand et al. examined the mechanical characteristics of
problems become an important issue around the world, the dissimilar IF steels after welding [9]. Padmanabhan et al.
automobile industry is paying close attention to greenhouse evaluated the forming characteristics of an aluminum and
gas regulations and the lightweight design of car bodies to steel combination [10], and Kinsey et al. performed a
improve fuel efficiency. In addition, high shock absorption comparative study on the forming characteristics based on
should also be secured for the safety of passengers upon a experiments and interpretations through a TWB [11].
collision but it is difficult to satisfy these three requirements TWB boron steel has been studied extensively [12–15].
simultaneously. To address this, many studies have examined For boron steel, the mechanical characteristics at the welding
the hot stamping process [1–5]. Among these are studies part deteriorate due to the induction of an Al-Si coating
on martensite generation depending on the temperature [6], layer that is essential to prevent oxidation upon welding.
the effects of forming methods on hot processing [7], the Kim et al. [16] found the USIBOR 1500’s distribution of
influence of spring back, the residual stress on the products, the hardness through CO2 laser welding. The hardness and
and so forth [8]. tensile strength of HAZ decreased and fracture occurred at
Although hot stamping parts have high strength, their HAZ during the tensile test. USIBOR 1500 was coated with
use has been limited to areas where the sufficient shock an Al-Si layer. During welding, chemical compounds, such
2 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Table 1: Chemical composition of boron steel (wt%).

C Mn Si P S Al Cr B
0.22 1.20 0.20 0.02 0.005 0.02 0.10 0.002

as FeAl3 or Fe2Al5 , form due to the effect of the coating Table 2: Ablation condition.
layer. FeAl3 or Fe2Al5 decreases the ductility of the material, Power (w) Speed (mm/sec) Count Frequency
making it brittle. Ehling et al. [17] found that hardness of
20 300 1 60
coated boron steel decreased to 300∼320 Hv and Moon et al.
[18] reported that tensile strength and elongation decreased
after laser welding because of the effect of the coating Table 3: Specimen with and without Al-Si coating layer.
layer. Therefore, the welding of boron steel would involve
the removal of a certain portion of the coating layer. This Experiment number Method of ablation Side of ablation
study examined the mechanical characteristics of boron steel Experiment number 1 Sandpaper Double side
welded after removing the Al-Si coating layer. In addition, the Experiment number 2 Laser Double side
die temperature and dome height for the ideal mechanical Experiment number 3 Laser Upper side
strength were evaluated based on the hot Erichsen test, which Experiment number 4 Laser Under side
simulates the hot stamping process under ideal conditions, as Experiment number 5 Without ablation —
shown in Figure 1.

Table 4: Laser welding condition.


2. Removal of the Boron Steel Al-Si Coating
Power (w) Speed (mm/sec) Focus (mm) Shield gas
Layer and Welding
3500 100 −4 N2
2.1. Characteristics of Boron Steel (22MnB5). B, Mn, and Cr
are added to boron steel for better hardenability as listed in
Table 1. Figure 2 shows the microstructures of boron steel etching processes. Figure 4(b) shows that the coating layer
before and after hot stamping. Although the pearlite structure has been removed.
appears at the ferrite factors before hot stamping, it becomes Table 3 divides the laser ablation variables before welding
martensite after the hot stamping process. into five factors. In experiment number 1, the coating layers
Boron steel is coated at both sides with a 25–45 𝜇m at both sides of the boron steel sheet were removed using
thick Al-Si layer to prevent oxidation. A 5–7 𝜇m thick sandpaper. In experiment number 2, the coating layers at
compound, which consists of FeAl3 and Fe2 Al5 (intermetallic both sides were removed with a laser, whereas in experiment
compound), is placed between the coating layer and base number 3, only the upper side coating layer was removed. In
metal layer to enhance the hardness. The melting points of experiment number 4, only the lower side coating layer was
the coating layer and intermetallic compound are 600–700∘ C removed. The coating layer was not removed in experiment
and 1100∘ C, respectively. Boron steel has inferior mechanical number 5. If there is no difference in the mechanical charac-
characteristics due to the induction of the Al-Si coating layer teristics between the condition of removing only one side of
during butt welding. the coating layer and both sides, the process with only one
side layer removed can be more cost-efficient.
2.2. Laser Ablation. In laser welding, which involves laser
ablation with a head installed, the coating layer is not 2.3. Laser Welding. Figure 5 shows laser equipment and
removed due to the slow speed. Rather, it is melted down specimen before and after die quenching. The fiber laser that
and can form a metal compound. Nevertheless, the coating maximum power of weld was 5 kW was used. When welding
layer is not removed completely when the welding speed is 1.6 mm thick boron steel (22MnB5) sheet, butt welding of
faster. It is difficult to remove the 25–45 𝜇m coating layer the same thickness blank was performed by welding head.
by means of laser. During the ablation by means of a laser To reduce the two misalignments of the steel after welding,
welding head, the speed goes down and thus the coating steel was fixed on the welding jig and laser-welded. Welding
layer is hardly removed. Rather, this may result in fusion position was controlled through camera and camera monitor
and metal compounds. Thus, high-speed laser ablation was and the heat input could be controlled with the welding
adopted with a scanner installed instead of the head. Ablation velocity and laser power as shown in Figure 5(b). Table 4 lists
conditions were listed in Table 2. the welding conditions. The ideal welding condition is that
Figures 3 and 4 show the boron steel Al-Si coating layer it produces a perfect back bead with full penetration and a
before and after laser ablation. Figure 3 shows a plan view of narrow weld line after welding. If the process is slow, the
the steel sheet before and after removing the coating layer excessive heat would cause a fusion zone and an enlarged
with laser ablation 2 mm at one side. Figure 4 shows the back bead area, whereas if the process is fast with higher
specimen in the depth direction along with a structure photo output, the low heat input would cause inferior mechanical
before and after laser ablation followed by polishing and characteristics because there would be no back bead.
Advances in Mechanical Engineering 3

Spot size
diameter
Laser beam
g
ldin n Tensile test and hardness test
Weirectio
d Process speed
Apply optimal
ablation condition
Upper view Side view
Specimen after Erichsen test
Formability was evaluated according to
die temperature and blank thickness

(a) (b)

Figure 1: Schematic diagram for laser welding and Erichsen experiment. (a) Laser ablation and laser welding, (b) Erichsen test with optimal
ablation.

Al-Si coated layer

FeAl3 , Fe2 Al5


(intermetallic compound)

Steel
50 𝜇m

(a) Boron steel sheet (b) Quenching after 950∘ C heating state about 5 minutes

Figure 2: Microstructure in cross section before and after quenching of boron steel.

With coating surface Without coating surface

(a) Before laser ablation of boron steel sheet surface (b) After laser ablation of Al-Si coating layer

Figure 3: Laser ablation of Al-Si coating layer of boron steel sheet surface before welding.
4 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

50 𝜇m

(a) Before laser ablation (b) After laser ablation of Al-Si coating layer

Figure 4: Microstructure in cross section before and after laser ablation of boron steel.

Fiber

Camera

Camera
monitor

Welding
head

N2 shield
gas

Welding
jig

(a) Equipment (b) Laser welding

(c) Specimen before die quenching (d) Specimen after die quenching

Figure 5: Laser welding equipment and specimen before and after die quenching.

A bonded part, whose mechanical characteristics become the steel sheet after welding, the burr after shearing was
inferior after welding, was formed at the HAZ (heat affected removed, fixed on the tool, and laser-welded.
zone) between the base material and welding part, which
is the cause of embrittlement. The HAZ reduces because it
is close to the ideal welding condition. Equation (1) is the 3. Evaluation on the Mechanical
expression of the welding heat input: Characteristics
3.1. Tensile Test. For boron steel welded after laser abla-
𝑃𝑙
𝑄 = 𝜂𝑙 , (1) tion under each condition, 6 specimens were machined
𝜋ℎ𝑟2 according to ASTM E 8M (totally 30 specimens). Three
tensile tests were performed on each sample before and after
𝜂𝑙 : laser coefficient, 𝑃𝑙 : laser power, 𝑟2 : laser beam size, and ℎ: die quenching. The values except the highest and lowest
steel sheet thickness. were used for further analysis. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show
Figure 5 shows laser equipment and specimen before and the tensile strength before quenching and after quenching,
after die quenching. To reduce the two misalignments of respectively. Experiment number 6 was added to compare the
Advances in Mechanical Engineering 5

800 1600
2

600 1200 1
Engineering stress (MPa)

Engineering stress (MPa)


4
3 6
5
1 3 2 6
400 4 5 800

200 400

0 0
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.10
Engineering strain (mm/mm) Engineering strain (mm/mm)
(1) Experiment number 1 (4) Experiment number 4 (1) Experiment number 1 (4) Experiment number 4
(2) Experiment number 2 (5) Experiment number 5 (2) Experiment number 2 (5) Experiment number 5
(3) Experiment number 3 (6) Base metal (22MnB5) (3) Experiment number 3 (6) Base metal (22MnB5)
(a) Tensile strength of specimen before die quenching (b) Tensile strength of specimen after die quenching

Figure 6: Tensile strength of specimen before and after die quenching.

B Spectrum 12

Fe
Cr Fe
P
Mn Mo Mn
C Si
Ti S
Al Fe
Ti Cr

1 mm Electron image 1 0 2 4 10 6 8 12 14 16 18 20
(keV)
Full scale 1338 cts cursor: 0.000
Element B C Al Si P Cr Mn Fe Ni

Weight (%) 0.41 2.2 1.89 2.06 −6.56 0.58 4.59 85.2 3.07

Figure 7: EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy) analysis of experiment number 1.

five laser ablation variables with the base metal of boron steel and 3%, respectively. During welding, chemical compounds,
(22MnB5). such as FeAl3 or Fe2 Al5 , form due to the effect of the coating
Among the specimens to which the laser ablation had layer. FeAl3 or Fe2 Al5 decreases the ductility of the material,
been applied, the experiment number 2 specimen with laser making it brittle. Figure 7 shows the EDS (energy disper-
ablation on both sides showed the highest percentage elon- sive spectroscopy) data of the welding zone of experiment
gation, whose tensile strength and elongation were 585 MPa number 1. In experiment number 1, the coating layer was
and 20%, respectively. For experiment number 3 with the removed by sandpaper. In this case, because Al-Si was not
laser ablation only on the upper side of the specimen, the deleted completely, Al and Si were melted and compounds,
values were 603 MPa and 18%. For the experiment number such as FeAl3 or Fe2 Al5 , formed in the welding metal zone
1 specimens, whose coating layer had been removed using during welding. Table 5 lists the EDS analysis of the welding
sandpaper, the tensile strength and elongation were 604 MPa zone according to the ablation method (the negative value
and 16%, respectively. For the experiment numbers 4 and 5 means that Al and Si could not be found). This can explain
specimens, whose lower part only underwent laser ablation why the coating layer affected the tensile stress and elongation
and did not undergo laser ablation, respectively, the values in the tension test. Although the elongation value was lower
were 603 MPa and 599 MPa and 14% and 16%, respectively. than that of the base metal, the tensile strength meets the
Regarding the condition after quenching, experiment minimum requirements for the hot stamping parts in the
number 2 with ablation on both sides had values of 1451 MPa automobile industry (1450 MPa). The remaining specimens
6 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

Table 5: Al and Si Wt (%) result of EDS analysis according to ablation method.

T (top)

HAZ

HAZ
Base metal Base metal
M (middle)

B (bottom)

Experiment number 1 Experiment number 2 Experiment number 3 Experiment number 4 Experiment number 5
T (top)
Al 1.89 −0.94 3.25 5.97 1.83
Si 2.06 −2.40 1.52 6.86 2.15
M (middle)
Al 0.52 −0.83 −0.40 −0.48 2.46
Si 0.86 −2.12 −0.51 −0.40 3.23
B (bottom)
Al 1.26 −0.76 2.64 −0.35 6.63
Si 1.63 −2.89 3.36 −0.66 7.33

600 number 5 sample welded without removing the coating layer


were inferior.
HAZ

HAZ

500

3 x 3.2. Hardness Measuring and Microstructure. Before mea-


400 suring the hardness, a 20 mm specimen was cut off and
Hardness (Hv)

1
mounted using a poly coat and hardener. The surface was
300 then smoothed by polishing, and the hardness was measured
using a Vickers hardness test. The load was set to 1000 g,
200 and the hardness was measured at every 0.25 mm (250 𝜇m).
The hardness of the experiment number 2 and experiment
100 number 5 samples before and after quenching was compared.
2 As shown in Figure 8, the specimens before quenching
0 showed similar results. Regarding the weld zone, the Vickers
−30 −20 −10 0 10 20 30 hardness of the martensite structure and base metal was
Distance from weld line, x (mm) 450–550 Hv and 180–200 Hv, respectively. In contrast, the
1 Top specimens after quenching showed a different distribution
2 Middle over the weld zone, as shown in Figure 9. Although the
3 Bottom experiment number 2 specimen, with laser ablation on both
sides, showed an even distribution, the weld zone exhibited
Figure 8: Distribution of Vickers hardness in the specimens before a slightly higher hardness than that of the base metal.
die quenching of experiment numbers 1∼5. For experiment number 5, the hardness of the weld zone
decreased to 250–300 Hv. Figure 10 shows SEM images of the
specimens. Figure 10(a) reveals a complete transformation to
exhibited inferior tensile strength and elongation. Regarding martensite, whereas (b) indicated the presence of both ferrite
the breaking location, cracks were observed at the HAZ (heat and martensite. A comparison of the SEM images in Figure 10
affected zone). Although the WZ (weld zone) and base metal with the tensile strength showed that the boron steel needs to
all transformed to a martensitic structure, the hardness and undergo laser ablation on both sides before welding.
strength in the HAZ at the area between the base metal and
fusion zone upon welding were inferior. Experiment number 4. Erichsen Test
2 showed the best tensile strength before and after quenching
due to the removal of the coating layers at both sides. 4.1. Test Tools and Methods. The Erichsen test is a stan-
In contrast, the mechanical properties of the experiment dardized test of the material forming characteristics. A steel
Advances in Mechanical Engineering 7

600 600

500 500

400 400

Hardness (Hv)
Hardness (Hv)

300 300

200 200

HAZ

HAZ

HAZ

HAZ
100 Laser ablation specimen 100
Specimen without ablation
with double side x
x
0 0
−30 −20 −10 0 10 20 30 −30 −20 −10 0 10 20 30
Distance from weld line, x (mm) Distance from weld line, x (mm)
1 Top 1 Top
2 Middle 2 Middle
3 Bottom 3 Bottom
(a) Experiment number 2 (b) Experiment number 5

Figure 9: Distribution of Vickers hardness after die quenching of experiment numbers 2, 5.

(a) Experiment number 2 (b) Experiment number 5

Figure 10: Microstructure of weld zone after die quenching of experiment numbers 2, 5.

sheet was pressurized with a die holder and the height was The base metals were 1.2𝑡 and 1.6𝑡 and both sides of the
measured using a punch to test the difference in hardness. specimen of the LWB (laser welded blank) (1.2𝑡 + 1.6𝑡) under-
Equation (2) shows the Erichsen index (EI%) according to went laser ablation and welding. These samples underwent
whether the forming characteristics are satisfactory as the forming at normal temperatures and hot forming. The die
limit of the specimen welded reaches 70% of that of the base temperature in hot forming was divided into four groups
metal. Figure 11 presents a diagram of the Erichsen test mold because hot stamping involved forming and quenching on a
and die and includes photographs of the mold and devices steel sheet at 950∘ C simultaneously. A number of processes
used in the experiment: increased the temperature of the mold, which affected the
forming characteristics and mechanical strength of the prod-
uct as well as the flow of cooling water (energy). Therefore,
Laser welded blank in this experiment, the forming temperature was divided
Erichsen Index (%) = × 100. (2)
Base metal into four different conditions to comparatively evaluate the
mechanical characteristics based on the hardness of the
The experiment can be carried out at normal temperature specimens and forming characteristics.
and in hot forming. For hot forming, the heat cartridge was
installed for both the mold and punch, as shown in Figure 11. 4.2. Hot Forming. Figure 12 shows the result of the hot
Table 6 lists the experiment conditions. forming test according to the temperature variables of the
8 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

40

5
Upper die

30
(mm)

Punch
0.75
33
10 80 Lower die

Upper die Heater


90 30
27
0.75

10

10
6∘ 2

110
45

∅33 5 R10

Lower die Punch


(a) Die and punch schematic (b) Experiment equipment

Figure 11: Schematic and equipment of die and punch for Erichsen test.

22 12 22 12
20 20
18 10 18 10
16 16
Dome height (mm)

Dome height (mm)


Punch load (kN)

Punch load (kN)

14 8 8
14
12 12
6 6
10 10
8 8
4 4
6 6
4 2 4 2
2 2
0 0 0 0
R.T 100 200 300 R.T 100 200 300
Temperature (∘ C) Temperature (∘ C)

Punch load (kN) Punch load (kN)


Dome height (mm) Dome height (mm)
(a) Boron steel sheet of thickness 1.2 mm (b) Boron steel sheet of thickness 1.6 mm
22 12
20
18 10
Dome height (mm)
Punch load (kN)

16
14 8
12
6
10
8 4
6
4 2
2
0 0
R.T 100 200 300
Temperature (∘ C)

Punch load (kN)


Dome height (mm)
(c) LWB (1.2𝑡 + 1.6𝑡)

Figure 12: Punch load and dome height of hot Erichsen test according to sheet thickness and die temperature.
Advances in Mechanical Engineering 9

Table 6: Experiment conditions for hot erichsen test. 600

Thickness Punch velocity Punch and die


Boron steel
(mm) (mm/s) temperature (∘ C)
500
Base Metal 1.2 12 R.T (25∘ C)

Hardness (Hv)
Base Metal 1.2 12 100
Base Metal 1.2 12 200 400
Base Metal 1.2 12 300
1.2t + 1.6t
Base Metal 1.6 12 R.T (25∘ C) Laser welded blank
Base Metal 1.6 12 100 300 A B CD E

Base Metal 1.6 12 200


Base Metal 1.6 12 300
LWB 1.2 + 1.6 12 R.T (25∘ C) 200
A B C D E —
LWB 1.2 + 1.6 12 100
Position
LWB 1.2 + 1.6 12 200
R.T. 200∘ C
LWB 1.2 + 1.6 12 300
100∘ C 300∘ C

Figure 13: Distribution of Vickers hardness according to position of


specimen.

die and punch. The dome height under the R.T. (25 C) and
100∘ C experiment conditions did not show any significant
difference in each specimen, but the value increased at
temperatures higher than 200∘ C. In addition, the punch load 5. Conclusions
value decreased with increasing die temperature, but in the
case of 1.6𝑡, the punch load value increased with increasing This study is a preliminary study aimed at enhancing the
die temperature. When the punch and die temperature was shock absorption by welding boron steel with different
high, the cooling rate of the specimen decreased, and a low thicknesses to complement the disadvantages of hot stamping
punch load was attributed to the decrease in the strain-stress boron steels due to low elongation. The results showed
curve of the boron alloy sheet with increasing temperature. that in welding the Al-Si coating layers caused a decrease
The dome height in hot forming was in the order of 1.6𝑡, in mechanical strength and hardness at the welding part.
LWB, and 1.2𝑡. For EI (%), the value of the LWB was 90% that Therefore, this study examined the effects of laser ablation of
of 1.6𝑡 and 105–110% of 1.2𝑡, which suggests that the forming the coating layer on the welded specimens under five different
characteristics were satisfactory because the EI (%) of the conditions and evaluated their mechanical characteristics
LWB specimen was more than 70% of the base metal in hot before and after die quenching. In addition, the forming
forming. characteristics and proper die temperature conditions in
reflection of the die temperature variables of the hot forming
Erichsen test were also examined. The following results were
4.3. Hardness. Although the load decreased and the dome obtained.
height increased with increasing mold temperature, the steel
sheet that underwent cold forming was also affected, which (1) Regarding the tensile strength of the specimens before
led to a deterioration of the mechanical characteristics. die quenching, the experiment number 2 sample with
Therefore, after processing, the hardness was measured at a tensile strength and elongation of 500–600 MPa and
a certain distance from the welding spot to obtain more 18–25%, respectively, met the requirements of boron
reliable hardness measurements. If hardness did not reach steel (22MnB5), whereas the remaining specimens
the minimum requirements for hot stamping up to 450 Hv, were unsuitable for hot stamping parts. After quench-
it was considered unsuitable for parts. Therefore, this study ing, however, experiment number 2 with ablation on
conducted reverse reasoning based on the measured hardness both sides had values of 1451 MPa and 3%, respec-
when examining the proper range of die temperatures in the tively.
hot stamping process. When the punch and die temperatures
were high, the quenching rate of the specimen decreased (2) Although the Vickers hardness before die quench-
and the microstructure of specimen was not transformed to ing was similar to those after die quenching, the
full martensite. Figure 13 shows the Vickers hardness of the Vickers hardness at the welding spot that underwent
specimen after the Erichsen test. The hardness was higher laser ablation at both sides was 450–550 Hv, whereas
than 450 Hv when the test was conducted at R.T. (25∘ C) and that of the specimen welded with no ablation was
100∘ C. On the other hand, by increasing the temperature to 250–350 Hv. The microstructure of the weld zone
200∘ C and 300∘ C, the hardness decreased to below 450 Hv ablated on both sides had transformed completely to
at positions B, C, D, and E. Accordingly, the die and punch martensite, whereas microstructure with no ablation
temperature need to be kept under 200∘ C. indicated the presence of both ferrite and martensite.
10 Advances in Mechanical Engineering

(3) The Erichsen index (EI%) of the LWB specimen [8] Y. S. Suh, M. W. Ji, K. H. Lee, and Y. S. Kim, “Application
increased at temperatures higher than 200∘ C and and verification of virtual manufacturing to hot press forming
the dome height in hot forming was in the order of process with boron steel,” Transactions of the Korean Society of
1.6𝑡, LWB, and 1.2𝑡. For EI (%), the value of the LWB Mechanical Engineers, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 61–66, 2010.
was 90% that of 1.6𝑡 and 105–110% of 1.2𝑡, indicating [9] D. Anand, D. L. Chen, S. D. Bhole, P. Andreychuk, and G.
satisfactory forming characteristics. Boudreau, “Fatigue behavior of tailor (laser)-welded blanks for
automotive applications,” Materials Science and Engineering A,
(4) The hardness was higher than 450 Hv when the test vol. 420, no. 1-2, pp. 199–207, 2006.
was conducted under 200∘ C. Based on the hot form- [10] R. Padmanabhan, A. J. Baptista, M. C. Oliveira, and L. F.
ing test, according to the die temperature, to maintain Menezes, “Effect of anisotropy on the deep-drawing of mild
the mechanical characteristics for hot stamping parts, steel and dual-phase steel tailor-welded blanks,” Journal of
the temperature of a mold should not exceed 200∘ C, Materials Processing Technology, vol. 184, no. 1–3, pp. 288–293,
and a temperature below 100∘ C is considered most 2007.
appropriate. [11] B. Kinsey, Z. Liu, and J. Cao, “Novel forming technology for
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Conflict of Interests
[12] R. Sharma, P. Molian, and F. Peters, “Geometric variability and
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests surface finish of weld zones in Yb:YAG laser welded advanced
regarding the publication of this paper. high strength steels,” Journal of Manufacturing Processes, vol. 12,
no. 2, pp. 73–84, 2010.
[13] H. S. Choi, B. M. Kim, G. H. Park, and W. S. Lim, “Optimization
Acknowledgments of resistance spot weld condition for single lap joint of hot
stamped 22MnB5 by taking heating temperature and heating
This study was supported by the Human Resources Devel- time into consideration,” Transactions of the Korean Society of
opment of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Mechanical Engineers A, vol. 34, no. 10, pp. 1367–1375, 2010.
Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) Grant funded by the [14] J. K. Choi, J. G. Kim, S. M. Shin, C. H. Kim, and S. H. Rhee,
Korean Government, Ministry of Knowledge Economy (no. “A study on laser welding caracteristics of 1500MPa grade ultra
20104010100540), and National Research Foundation of high strength steel for automotive application,” Journal of the
Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean Government Korean Society of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, vol. 13, no. 3, pp.
(MEST) (Grant no. 2012-0001204). 19–26, 2010.
[15] Y. G. An, C. Y. Kang, Y. S. Kim, C. H. Kim, and T. K. Han,
“Microstructure and hardness of DISK laser welded in Al-Si
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